By Community Affairs

Community Networking – How a Community Works Together

May 30, 2011 | 8:04 AM

A long time ago, I was working as a lifestyles reporter covering a great event at the Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre. It was a weekend of workshops for young people with the theme of Walking in Two Worlds – the intent being, to facilitate First Nations young people to be proud of their heritage, remember and continue their culture while taking advantage of and enjoying everything the modern world had to offer.
There was a speaker who said something at the event – something that has stuck with me all these years. He described why the Six Nations were so called – that six groups of First Nations were faced with a battle against a common enemy … and instead of fighting amongst themselves, pooled their strengths together for success. The idea was that one arrow – on its own – is easy to break but if you have six arrows bundled together – there is an unbreakable bond.
So what?
Well, this little story applies to Prince Albert and its’ community groups.
In particular, it relates to the Community Networking Coalition, which has embraced the six arrow principal. There are many, many groups and agencies in the city. Working individually – they do a good job. Pooling their resources and networking each other’s strengths creates a strong force of goodness in our city.
The CNC, as it’s referred to, gathered last week at the arts centre to meet one another, discuss what each agency attending (about 46 groups in total) has to offer the community and network with each other.
This is one aspect of Prince Albert, which is so great. The CNC has more than 150 groups in its membership. Members are able to email information to the facilitator, Delphine Melchert, who forwards the information on to the others. There are monthly meetings to discuss common concerns or projects and there is a directory currently being made.
These groups represent agencies, which serve the needs of the poor, of the disenfranchised, of groups with specific health issues. It represents schools and arts groups. It represents non-profit agencies. Through the CNC they are able to help each other out – but they are also better able to serve the community. If a client comes to one agency and expresses an interest in art, for example, the people at the agency would immediately know how to set that client up to fulfill a dream.
Working together for a better community.
As Martha Stewart would say – It’s a Good Thing.
Have a great week and keep reading the panow.com Community Group News to find everything you would want to know from more than 240 community groups in Prince Albert and area.